Many perpetrators of CSA were sexually abused when they were children. Most of them never got treatment for it and they often abuse as a way to make themselves feel better about their past abuse. Now they are in the role of the one with the power and the control, as as opposed to being in the role of the powerless victim. Others got the impression as children that this type of sexual relationship between an adult and a child was normal, since the adults around them ignored and did nothing to stop the abuse once they found out about it. Still others don't view their sexual acts with children as being abuse but as a way of showing love and affection.
Pryor, D.W. (1996) Unspeakable acts: Why men sexually abuse children.
What I find interesting is the concept of analyzing the origins and patterns that are linked with having an individual to become a potential child sex offender due to being previously abused themselves at a younger age. Meanwhile, it would be interesting to research on the other types of triggering factors that can occur in an individual's life that effects the person to act this way. We sometimes hear stories of child sex offenders as being a friendly neighbour, good citizen, and a person who couldn't even hurt a fly,but are there signs that can help predict if that person is a potential child sex offender? Is it possible that a person who has not suffered any physical, emotional nor psychological abuse as a child become offenders as well?
ReplyDeleteEmily Ruel
Emily, I think that is a very interesting angle to explore, but concerning the issue of sex offenders who've been abused themselves, I think that it is something that SCC and other social care workers should keep in mind. Often the focus is on the victim, and as important as that is, it is also important to look at the abuser as well. Often there is a reason why they abuse and unless that is addressed nothing will change for that individual.
ReplyDelete- Dana